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ISAR 2003 By Mel Borofsky, BC-ADG, Editor SITREP
MIXER: Friday night, September 26, 2003. As the sun slowly sank behind the magnificent cliffs and boulders of Newfoundland, so also did the tensions of the competitions…. at least for the balance of the evening. All of the participants met in the Grand Ballroom for some mighty tasty tidbits, including that wonderful Newfoundland treat, Cod tongues, cheeks and grunions. No fooling, there was a huge tray of these little things, and guess what…. they were great! A chicken wing can be had anytime….. but Cod tongues, cheeks and grunions, only in Newfoundland. Please don’t ask me what those grunions were, except that they were small and crunchy. Somebody said they were bacon bits, but you couldn’t prove it by me. The event coordinators covered every base, trays and trays of food and wonderful company with whom to share the goodies. The coordinators even had a local brewery bottle up a batch of SAR 2003 labeled beer (see one of the photos). Conversation was focused on the day’s events. The common phrase overheard all night was, “How did ya’ do?” or “What do you think’s in store for us tomorrow?” The Canadian’s neat way of ending a question totally ID’ed the questioner, “We did OK, eh?” Following an hour of good conversation, scrumptious eating and drinking it was time for the presentation of some Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary Awards. The awards presented are as follows: AWARDS: Presenter: Mr. Harry Strong, CEO CCGA Commodore Everette Tucker Jr. was presented with the CCGA National Council Honorary Membership on August 26, 1999. He was the driving force behind the signature of a Memorandum of Agreement between the CCGA and the USCG Auxiliary. As Director of the USCG Auxiliary International Affairs Department, Commodore Tucker has been instrumental to the signing of other MOUs between the USCG Auxiliary and several other volunteer SAR organizations. Como Tucker sits on the Board of Directors of the International Lifeboat Federation and was behind the organization of the first Caribbean SAR Conference. He attends regularly CCGA National Council Meetings and is a member of the joint ISAR Committee. He has shown dedication and leadership in fostering exchanges between a number of volunteer SAR organizations in the world. Commodore Everette Tucker Jr., is the first ever recipient of the CCG Auxiliary Humanitarian Service Medal. CCGA Humanitarian Service Medal Presenter: Mr. Harry Strong, CEO CCGA Commodore Edward Mackenzie of the First District, Northern Region, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary was an ardent supporter of exchanges between Auxiliarists in Canada and the United States. He attended the ISAR competitions in 2000 and 2001 and regional competitions in Maritimes and Newfoundland in 2001 and 2002. Commodore Mackenzie also attended the CCGA-Quebec Annual General Meeting in 2001. Commodore Mackenzie was a leading force in developing exchanges at the unit/zone level and an ardent promoter of sharing information and expertise between his district and the CCGA. Commodore Mackenzie, sadly passed away on February 10, 2003. Commodore Edward Mackenzie is the second ever recipient of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary Humanitarian Service Medal. The medal was presented to his wife Suzanne. CCGA Humanitarian Service Medal Presenter: Mr. Harry Strong, CEO CCGA Klaus Baumann (Deputy Director of the USCG Auxiliary International affairs Dept. and Director of the USCG Auxiliary Interpreter Corps) and his wife Bridgette are long time friends of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary. On numerous occasions, Klaus and Bridgette were manning booths shared between the CCGA and USCG Auxiliary at events such as Sarscene. For many years, they have played a major role in welcoming Canadian delegations at the USCG Auxiliary National Conference (NACON). Klaus and Bridgette Baumann, recipients of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary Humanitarian Service Medal. Administrative Excellence Medal Presenter: Mr. Frank Hudson, President CCGA, Pacific Region Since the beginning of the ISAR Competitions, these members of the USCG Auxiliary have brought a significant contribution to the event by attending numerous meetings of the Organizing Committees and Joint ISAR Committee. They have supported the event in various capacities including logistical support, public & media relations support, fund raising, marketing, etc. Their long term on-going commitment has had a positive impact on the event. Their contributions were made each year regardless if the Competition was held in Canada or the United States. They now provide local Organizing Committees with seasoned recommendations and proposals to ensure the success of each ISAR Competition. Commodore Everette Tucker, Mr. Harry Strong, Mr. Steve Daoust, Mr. Earl Miller, Ms. Jennifer Fletcher, Commodore Jim Anderson and Commodore Bob Colby, recipients of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary Administrative Excellence Medal. Certificate of Appreciation Presenter: Mr. Harry Strong, CEO CCGA Mr. Mel Borofsky (United States Coast Guard Auxiliary) is the editor of SITREP - The USCG Auxiliary Internet magazine. Since he took on this initiative, Mel has regularly attended Canada-US Auxiliary events including the ISAR 2001 competition in Vancouver and reported on the outcome of these events. His presence and ability to quickly post stories and images on the USCG Auxiliary web site has provided great coverage and visibility. Mel has great communication skills which he uses extensively to promote the CCGA and USCG Auxiliary. Mr. Mel Borofsky, Editor of SITREP, recipient of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary Certificate of Appreciation. Certificate of Appreciation Presenter: Mr. Francois Vezina, National Business Manager, CCGA Paul Webster (President, Society of Newfoundland Radio Amateurs) is the leading source in organizing the special event Amateur Radio Station at ISAR 2003, celebrating the USCG Auxiliary and CCGA Anniversary. The event, now associated with the ISAR Competition, provides an international channel through which Auxiliarists around the world can discuss and exchange their views. The event also stimulates exchanges between volunteer organizations in two separate fields related to emergency preparedness (Coast Guard Auxiliary and Amateur Radio). Mr. Paul Webster, President of the Society of Newfoundland Radio Amateurs, recipient of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary Certificate of Appreciation. Certificate of Appreciation Presenter: Mr. Harry Strong, CEO CCGA Members of the CCGA Central & Arctic 25th Anniversary Committee have worked together extensively to prepare and host a unique event in the history of the CCGA. The success of the event was unprecedented. All aspects of the organization were well cared for (media relations, logistics, invitations, etc.) A certificate is presented tonight to Mr. John Levantis, President, CCGA Central and Arctic. Certificates for the other members of the committee will be presented at the next Annual General Meeting of the Coast Guard Auxiliary Central and Arctic. Certificate of Appreciation Presenter: Mr. Harry Strong, CEO CCGA Members of the Canadian Forces 103 Search and Rescue Squadron have supported ISAR 2003 and several regional competitions of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (Newfoundland & Labrador) in recent years. The squadron performed SAR demonstrations and its members acted as judges for first aid events providing Auxiliary members with useful tips and recommendations. The squadron also cooperates regularly with the Auxiliary to conduct SAR exercises. The certificate will be accepted tonight by Warrant Officer Kevin Elliot SARTECH Leader, on behalf of 103 Search and Rescue Squadron. Certificate of Appreciation Presenter: Mr. Harry Strong, CEO CCGA Members of the ISAR 2002 Competition have worked together extensively for over a year to prepare and host the International SAR competition in Milwaukee. All aspects of the organization were well cared for (media relations, logistics, invitations, etc.) The certificate will be accepted tonight by Commodore Jim Anderson on behalf of the committee. (Earl Miller, Jennifer Fletcher, Commodore Chris Tamani and Commodore Bob Colby). Organizing Committee of the ISAR 2003 Competition in St. John's Presenter: Mr. Harry Strong, CEO CCGA Members of the ISAR 2003 Competition Committee have worked together extensively for over a year to prepare and host the International SAR competition. All aspects of the organization are well cared for (media relations, logistics, invitations, etc.) The certificate will be accepted tonight by Winston Pitcher, President CCGA Newfoundland and Labrador, on behalf of the members of the Committee. SCREECH: The last event of the evening was the ceremony initiating Newfoundland first timers into the fold. Mr. Neil Peet, decked out in Sou’wester garb, was the “Master of the Order” and he defined the term “Screeching” as “the sound one makes after taking a swallow of Newfoundland made rum.” So as not to ruin the surprises in the ceremony, lest you find yourself one day a newcomer to Newfoundland, let’s just say that it was a ton of fun and gave all involved the chance to “let one’s hair down.” Looking at the photos you might think that Mr. Peet was holding a fish…. yup, he was. Those initiated were never so close nor never so dear to one old cod fish. All involved did partake of the “screech.” We will say
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